About

If it took thirty-five years for your dream to come true, would you give up? Now in his mid-fifties, Lance Rice is a gifted historian with a passion for beer and a rare photographic memory. For nearly 40 years Lance has used his computer-like mind to memorize a staggering amount of knowledge in beer and brewery history. Yet even more astonishing is the fact that Lance has never been able to share his passion or brilliance with the world, but he still has not given up on his dream...

Lance is autistic.

Lance’s Brewery Tour follows Lance and his nephew on a 1500 mile roadtrip as Lance sets out to visit the breweries of the Midwest and fulfill his lifelong dream to write a book about the history and culture of American Beer. The documentary chronicles Lance’s awe inspiring journey as he faces his social fears and phobias and spends nearly a month away from home to collect the photos, experiences and information he needs to write his book. When the documentary is complete Lance will finally hold in his hands a published copy of Lance’s Brewery Tour, the book he always dreamed of writing.

Lance Rice and his rare beer can collection

Where your support goes: a dream, a documentary and a book

We are currently in pre-production and early support and excitement from breweries, beer communities and individuals around the country keeps pouring in! This project is a massive undertaking: two months of filming, one month on the road with Lance, a documentary, a published book, ebooks, websites and mobile applications - all to share Lance's beautiful story with the world and give hope back to the autism community.

Your support and contributions help bring all of these things to life. Over the next 6 months a team of talented filmmakers, sound professionals, editors, designers, autism experts and brewery professionals will dedicate themselves to Lance's dream. Without your help our team would not be able to share Lance's incredible story with the world. Thank you!

Risks and challenges

Lance deals with very common challenges associated with autism: social anxiety, difficulty communicating and making eye contact, reliance on ritualistic behaviors that often limit daily productivity, occasional issues with motor skills and coordination as well as phobias including claustrophobia and agoraphobia.

These challenges, however, are less problematic when Lance is with his nephew Aaron. Since the age of three Aaron has been a friend to Lance and a great source of trust and comfort. Now thirty-two, Aaron is an actor, producer and director who has carefully planned an innovative documentary shoot that allows Lance to interact with a skilled film crew without being overwhelmed. Lance’s Brewery Tour is a candid portrait of the beauty and brilliance of a gifted autistic man and the difficulties he will face to pursue his dream.

Early on we thought receiving permission and access to breweries, both historic and current, would be challenging. However, throughout production development we have received an overwhelming amount of support from breweries, beer experts and business owners across the Midwest. We are astounded by the opportunities and excitement that keeps pouring in for Lance and his dream.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 3 or more
About US$ 3

A Pint For Lance - we buy our friends a pint as a kind gesture. Give Lance the same kindness and buy him a "pint!" We'll add your name to the Lance's Brewery Tour "PINT wall of fame" and everything mentioned above.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 200 or more
About US$ 200

The Brewery Photo Pack - A DVD or Blu Ray copy of Lance's Brewery Tour, a digital download of the book, a beautiful 8x10 landscape print as featured in the Lance's Brewery Tour book and signed by the photographer.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 5,000 or more
About US$ 5,000

Team Lance - all of the rewards listed above as well as a pre-release screener copy of the Lance's Brewery Tour documentary and a free download of Lance's Beer Guide a bonus web and mobile application... and we will love you forever.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 10,000
About US$ 10,000

Lance's Dream Maker - every reward listed above as well as premium placement in the opening credits of the documentary, special thanks in the prologue of the book and an invite to the Los Angeles, Chicago or Cleveland Premier of Lance's Brewery Tour.